Understanding the CareConnect Difference

What is CareConnect?
North Shore-LIJ CareConnect Insurance Company, Inc. (or CareConnect for short) is your plan administrator. It is fully-owned by Northwell Health, and is the first provider-owned commercial health insurance company in New York State. It was launched to make it easier for people to get and stay healthy, so it does things a little differently than most insurance companies.

In Person Customer Service
CareConnect stresses customer service. It has a walk-in Customer Care Center at 2200 Northern Blvd. in East Hills, where you can drop by any time between 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday, to talk to a Customer Service Connector. A Service Connector can answer questions about your coverage, explain potential costs, even make your doctor, lab and x-ray appointments. Bring your kids along -- they will enjoy the crayons, games and books in the play area, while you get your tasks done.

On the Phone Customer Service
Don't feel like making the trip? Just pick up the phone - a Connector will be able to answer your questions or resolve your issue. Or try the CareConnect website, CareConnect.com, to take care of simple things like printing a temporary ID card, or checking the status of a claim.

CareConnect Providers
CareConnect can also simplify your life when it's time to see the doctor, thanks to its close relationship with the providers in the network -- which includes not just Northwell Health, but many other New York health systems: Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, Montefiore Health System in the Bronx and Westchester, Northern Westchester Hospital and Mount Kisco Medical Group also in Westchester are just to name a few. Keep in mind, although the network is large, the plan does not cover out-of-network care.

In addition to making appointments that fit your schedule, CareConnect will work closely with Northwell Health's Care Solutions to make sure you have all the support you need.

All of this and lower rates too! In fact, for many employees, CareConnect Northwell Health Employee Plan rates are lower than the Value Plan. To find out more, visit CareConnect.com, email questions@nslijcc.com or read about CareConnect in your 2016 Benefits Resource Guide.

North Shore-LIJ (soon to be Northwell Health) is getting ready for YOU!

There is a reason the word "well" was added to our name!
As we begin to share, in the anticipation of, and exposure to, our new name and brand promise — what better time to reflect, and be thankful for, the many rewards the health system offers us.

2016 Benefit Offerings
Open Enrollment for your 2016 benefits package begins Monday, November 30, and runs through Friday, December 11. Other than a Qualifying Life Event (QLE)*, this is your annual opportunity to enroll, waive, or change your health and welfare plans, and Flexible Spending Account(s).

New Medical Plan Choice in 2016
You now have a new plan option for your 2016 medical care coverage. In addition to the Value and Buy-Up medical plans through United Healthcare, you can also choose to enroll in the 2016 CareConnect North Shore-LIJ Employee plan.

Who Should Consider the CareConnect plan?
Due to their expanded network base - those employees who live in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Westchester should consider CareConnect
Due to their excellent customer service reputation - those employees who already visit in-system providers might want to consider the option for walk-in appointments and "one-stop shopping" when inquiring and scheduling medical appointments
Due to their low rates - yes their rates are 10% lower than the NSLIJ Value Plan

Keep in mind: Although CareConnect's plan gives you access to over 20,000+ in-system providers, it does not cover out-of-network providers and facilities. 

Example: You decide you want that knee replacement at Hospital for Special Surgery ... it will not be covered through CareConnect's Plan.
The Value and Buy-Up plan will cover the surgery, but you will pay a deductible and coinsurance.

The CareConnect plan is administered by CareConnect Administrative Services, which is owned by North Shore-LIJ. For more information about the new CareConnect North Shore-LIJ Employee Plan, email: info@nslijcc.com

Annual Wellness Pledge Program 
All three medical plans participate in the Annual Wellness Pledge Program. So whichever plan you choose for 2016,  you will have the ability to lower the cost of your benefit, by $1,040, if you participate in four healthy actions.

New Wellness Plan for All Employees
All employees now have the opportunity to participate in a system-wide, online wellness program, called myWellness. To register for this reward-based program, click here. 

Follow the Blog During Open Enrollment!
Add your work email to the tab at the top of the screen, and you will automatically receive alerts regarding your benefit choices in 2016.

Take control of your benefit choices — it's all about the Power of YOU in 2016!

*A Qualifying Life Event refers to a change in your dependent or self status, due to a recent marriage, divorce, birth/adoption of a child, or your spouse's employment. 

Celebrate Your Benefits

April 2 is National Employee Benefits Day! In honor of this year's theme, which is dedicated to improving employee health and well-being, get out and do something healthy for yourself. When you do something positive to better your physical and mental state, your energy will naturally flow over to your customers, family and friends.

Schedule a Visit
Whether or not you are participating in the Wellness Pledge Program, take the time to make an appointment with one or more of your healthcare providers. Keeping on track with your preventive care routine in 2015 will make it that much more natural in the years to come. Consider your coverage in the North Shore-LIJ Benefits Plan:

• A physician wellness visit with an in-system or in-network healthcare provider is covered at 100%
• A visit with your OB/GYN, which will most likely include a Pap test for cervical cancer, is covered for the low copay of $40 (if in-system)
• A vision exam with a Davis Vision provider* is covered at 100%
• Two trips to your dentist are covered at 100% (in-network)
• A skin cancer screening by your dermatologist is covered for the low copay of $40 (if in-system)

Find In-System Providers and North Shore-LIJ Facilities HERE

Find Financial Fitness

Another great way to treat yourself well is by investing in your financial future. Take the time to celebrate your benefits by increasing your contribution to your 403(b)/401(k) plan by 1%. Maybe even consider using the Auto-Increase tool on the Transamerica website, making your saving automatic!

Get a Discount on Your Fitness

Make exercise a part your lifestyle. As a health system employee you are offered discounts to over 27 exercise facilities in the area. Big names like YMCA/Long Island/Greater NYC, Equinox, CrossFit Sanctuary, NY Health and Racquet Club, Island Fitness, as well as some locals such as Evolution Fitness in Bayville and Oyster Bay are all available to you at reduced rates. Just show your employee ID and start getting healthy - today. For a complete list visit the employee intranet>Discounts.

*As of April 1, two North Shore-LIJ Opthalmology offices are considered Davis Vision providers:

MEETH Ophthalmology, Marta Fabrykowski, OD and Christopher Lee, OD

210 E. 64th St., NYC at 212-702-7300

NSLIJ Department of Ophthalmology, Corina Busuioc, OD, Francesca Kim, OD

600 Northern Blvd., Great Neck at 516-470-2020

Sleep Well

Sleep well. Just one of the many solutions our friends from North Shore-LIJ's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offer when your schedule seems out of control. "It's true. most of us can get by with occasional sleep loss, but regular sleep loss leads to attention and memory problems, learning difficulties and increased tension," says Dr. Curtis Reisinger, Corporate Director, Employee Assistance Program and Physician's Resource Network. "In the end, lack of sleep can lead to poor performance and mistakes, that is why it is so important to get to the root of the problem with solution-oriented skills as soon as possible," adds Dr. Reisinger.

Need Help?
EAP is a part of your Total Rewards package at North Shore-LIJ. A team of licensed NYS behavioral health providers are available business days and on-call 24/7/365 (for urgent matters) to assist you with problems you may be experiencing at home or at work. All services are 100% confidential and in alignment with the health system's mission. Some typical requests include marital/couple problems, financial stress, issues dealing with a manager or fellow employee, and stress in general.

In addition to one-on-one counseling, EAP offers educational programs for managers and employees at the Center for Learning and Innovation. Customized programs are also available on-site upon request.

Help is Here for You
Don't brush off your lack of sleep - address it head on with the help of EAP.

• Call 1-877-EAP-4YOU (1-877-327-4968) 
• All services are free of charge 
• EAP is located at 333 East Shore Road, Manhasset, with additional offices at 410 Lakeville Road, Lake Success and 300 Community Drive, Great Neck
• EAP is also willing to meet you at an off-site location for purposes of confidentiality
• Employees may be referred to mental health in-system providers if the problem is not solutions-oriented - if so, a copay of $20 is due upon each visit

Your 2015 Benefits - Simplified

Thanks for checking in on nslijbenefits.blogspot.com, your go-to place for Open Enrollment information - simplified. Over the next couple of weeks the Benefits Blog will share topics of interest surrounding your "non-union" benefits package.

Follow the Blog for Easy-to-Follow Information
A great way to make this information come right to your inbox  is to "Follow the Blog". All you have to do is submit your email address directly to the right of this paragraph. Every time a new article is posted you will be alerted with an introduction to that post. You can choose to read further or pass. Just another way of simplifying your Benefits during Open Enrollment!

Time Frame
2015 Benefits Open Enrollment is Wednesday, December 3 through Wednesday, December 17. At this time you will have access - on Employee Self Service - to enroll, re-enroll or waive your benefits with North Shore-LIJ.

What to Consider NOW
In preparation for Open Enrollment, take the time to review the 2015 North Shore-LIJ Plan Options, found on Employee Intranet>HR>Benefits. This is the only time of year you are eligible to update or newly enroll in the health administered plans.

Note: Qualifying Life Event, which is a change in martial or dependent status, allows you to make changes in your benefits at certain milestones in your life. If you have additional questions regarding Qualifying Life Events, contact your Site HR Office.

Enrollment Options with Carrier Links
Medical (with Express-Scripts): Value or Buy-Up with United Healthcare with Prescription
Dental: DPPO or DHMO with Cigna
Vision: One plan option with Davis Vision
Flexible Spending Accounts: Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs with Wage Works
Disability: Automatic Short-Term 50% with The Hartford, options to "buy-up" with evidence of good health
Life Insurance: Automatic basic term life with Accidental Death and Dismemberment with Aetna, options to "buy-up" with evidence of good health

Compare the Cost
Compare these plans with those offered by your spouse's employer (if applicable) by viewing the 2015 Plan Rates and Costs, found on HealthPort-HR-Benefits.

October is Here!

Since the deadline for the Wellness Pledges have been extended that mammogram you scheduled for during Breast Cancer Awareness Month will be in accordance with the 2015 Wellness Pledge Program.
Let's review the Pledge deadlines:

• Complete the online Health Assessment on myuhc.com and 3 additional pledges by October 31 and you will receive your maximum paycheck credits beginning with the first pay cycle in 2015
• Complete the online Health Assessment on myuhc.com and 3 additional pledges after October 31 (in November/December) and your paycheck credits will still appear in 2015 but they will be delayed 4-8 weeks - keep in mind, they will not be retroactive!

What you can do NOW - if eligible for the Pledge Program*
Step One: 
Complete your online Health Assessment on myuhc.com - it's the gateway pledge and is required in order to receive any paycheck credits in 2015
Step Two: 
Watch the Wellness Video - it was posted on your iLearn Module for viewing and submission
Step Three: 
Schedule 2 appointments (pledges) before Oct 31 and you will receive full credits:
--Annual Exam or Physical
--Dental Exam and/or Cleaning
--Vision Exam
--Breast Cancer Screening/Mammography
--Skin Cancer Screening/Check with a Dermatologist
--Colorectal Cancer Screening

In Addition: 

If you currently have your spouse covered under our medical plan you are also eligible to receive credit if he/she completes the online Health Assessment on myuhc.com.

Read more by searching 2015 Wellness Pledge Program in the search box (upper right corner of this Blog) or click here.

*You must be a non-union benefits-eligible employee or a Lenox Hill Hospital RN who is planning to enroll of re-enroll in North Shore-LIJ's Value or Buy-Up medical plan with United Healthcare to be eligible for the paycheck credits. New hires and those new to the medical plan in 2015 will have 6 months from their benefit's eligibility date to comply with the Program. 

Visit UnitedHealthcare Online at myuhc.com

If you have medical benefits through North Shore-LIJ's Value or Buy-Up Plan then you have access to valuable health information housed on UnitedHealthcare's confidential  myuhc.com website.

Get Started

Once registered and logged in, you can view your benefits and coverage, medical and reimbursement policies, all while utilizing  interactive tools, such as myHealthcare Cost Estimator,  a tool designed to estimate your healthcare costs, leading you to better decision making.

Great Resource for Health Information

In addition to being a great resource when managing your services and claims, myuhc.com shares valuable health information that is constantly updated and refreshed.

• View May's Wellness Online featuring Blood Pressure Awareness.
• Visit the LiveWell, BeWell, WorkWell section - covering sensitive topics such as grief and loss, domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse, anger management and so much more*. 
• And don't forget to check in and utilize the I Do section. Here you can research weight management, stress relievers, exercise, nutrition and general preventive care.

Download the Health4Me App

Now you can get all this information - and more - right in the palm of your hand. Download the free Health4Me app to your Smartphone and get myuhc.com on the go. Take a moment and view this brief video to see how it works.

*If you find yourself dealing with difficult topics or feelings, be sure to reach out to the North Shore-LIJ behavioral health experts at the Employee Assistance Program: 1-877-327-4968 or eap2@nshs.edu. EAP is a professional, confidential counseling service designed to help you resolve problems that have an impact on your life at home, school or work.

Dependent Audit for Benefits

Have you received a letter in the mail asking for proof of your dependents? If so, it is important that you reply with the correct documentation, such as a birth certificate or marriage license. North Shore-LIJ is verifying that all dependents currently covered by the health system-sponsored medical plans are actually eligible for this coverage. If it turns out your loved one is not eligible for our health plans you will not be penalized but you will have to find alternative coverage. If you need assistance providing the documentation requested contact the  third party vendor, ACS, HR Solutions at 1-888-218-1475.

Some of the relationships that are not legitimate for dependent coverage include:

• Ex-spouses
• Live-in partners or roommates 
• Girlfriends/boyfriends or same-sex domestic partners
• Cousins, nieces, nephews, sisters, brothers, parents
• Neighbors and/or friends
• Children over 26

In order to be eligible for medical coverage your dependent must be: 

• A legally married spouse
• Children under the age of 26 - natural, step and adopted
• Unmarried children who are incapable of self-support due to physical or mental disability

DOMA Section 3: Struck Down

Background information: The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) enacted September 21, 1996, is a U.S. federal law that allowed states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages granted under the laws of other states.

Until Section 3 of the Act was ruled unconstitutional, DOMA had effectively barred same-sex married couples from being recognized as "spouses" for purposes of federal laws, or receiving federal marriage benefits. As of July 3, there is no longer any federal barriers to the recognition of same-sex couples married in states that recognize same-sex marriage. They are now entitled to receive the over 1,000 federal health, tax, Social Security and other benefits that a one man/one woman couple receives.

Example: Jane Smith is a benefits-eligible employee at North Shore-LIJ. Jane married her partner, Mary, in the state of New York in March of 2013. As a recognized marriage in New York, North Shore-LIJ was able to add Mary to Jane's policy as a Qualified Life Event.

Question: On July 3 the Supreme Court struck down DOMA, how does this affect Jane and Mary in the future, in regards to their benefits?

Answer: When the couple married in March, the state of New York recognized their marriage, but the federal government did not. As a result, Jane's pay statement showed an imputed income from the federal government. Since New York is one of the 13 states that recognizes same-sex marriage the couple did not have imputed income from New York. Now that Section 3 of DOMA has been struck down, Jane will no longer receive imputed income from the federal government and her medical contributions will be pre-tax for both federal and state purposes.

Note: North Shore-LIJ's payroll department is currently working to update the payroll system to reflect pre-tax contributions for all same-sex married participants. Impacted plan participants will be contacted directly with additional information.

If you are in a same-sex marriage and have additional questions about your benefits, call the HR Service Center at 516-734-7000.